Patricia Bragg on Self-Care as a Spiritual Practice

As we slide into this shiny new year, many of us are weary and battle-worn from a tumultuous 2020. Though it was a challenging year for all, statistics show that worldwide, women did more of the heavy lifting. More women lost jobs, shifted gears, home-schooled children, cooked, cleaned, and cared for not only their own family, but often extended family as well. They traded gym time for Zoom calls, and sacrificed personal pleasures, such as a manicure or massage, for quick trips to the store before lockdown. The image of women as eight-armed goddesses, multi-tasking to the max, has never been more poignant.

As we all adapted to the pandemic, we explored a theme that Patricia exemplifies: ageless beauty. In fact, we wrote a book about it, called “Revolutionary Beauty,” which redefines beauty as an essence that we source from within not without, a light that radiates love, joy, and optimism, and one that increases with time, rather than dims. So, what are the attributes of a Revolutionary Beauty?

Revolutionary Beauties are not perfect or bullet-proof, but they do embrace the understanding that the feminine energy waltzes with time and that time is always on our side. That may seem an ironic fact given that we are all going so fast, doing so much. But what if you believed that you had all the time in the world? What if you allowed yourself to slow down today, take a deep breath, and begin building what Patricia Bragg calls a “powerful Vital Force,” a strong nervous system that withstands the storms of our lives while supporting the re-invention of a new way of being?

For most women, and especially this last year, self-care was last on our to-do list. And slowing down may seem like a crazy idea. However, it is the first place to begin replenishing your soul and renewing your spirit. It’s actually critical to longevity, as well as your mental and immune health! And, it may be one of the most pre-eminent gifts you ever give yourself. Some call this concept “sacred selfishness.” Yet, there is nothing selfish about taking care of the most important person in your life—you—the eight-armed goddess who has likely spent the last year caring for others more than yourself.

If it’s impossible to schedule a long-awaited trip to the hair salon, can you dip into a hot bath infused with lavender, or enjoy a quiet cup of hot tea and a magazine or book?

Are you someone who thrives on company, and yearns for a long uninterrupted phone call with a cherished friend? Or, would you prefer some alone time, with no one tugging at your skirt, or calling your name? When we resist slowing down, if we don’t shine up our ability to discern, create boundaries, let go of what does not need our specific attention, and take back the hours in our days, we are drained until it feels like we have nothing left to give. And, nothing ages us faster.

Revolutionary Beauties allow themselves to prioritize self-care, trusting that it’s the most practical choice they can make, not only for themselves, but for their families and their community. Consider this permission from the Queen of Ageless Beauty, Patricia Bragg, to take the afternoon off and do something that brings you joy.